The United States and Japan will step up their defence cooperation to deal with the threat from nuclear-armed North Korea as tensions in East Asia remain high, officials from the two allies said on Thursday.

Early tribute at Sydney's Anzac Eve mass

The Catholic Church and military leaders have paid an early tribute to servicemen and women for their gifts of peace and hope to Australia.

At the centre of the Anzac Day Eve mass of remembrance in Sydney on Thursday was a 120-year-old chalice used by military chaplains on the beaches of Gallipoli 99 years ago.

While it is impossible to pinpoint which chaplain carried the treasured chalice, the Catholic church says one story has it linked to Father John Fahey, who defied orders and landed on the beaches in Turkey alongside the Anzacs on April 25, 1915.

The chalice, only used once a year at the Anzac Eve mass, was gifted to St Mary's Cathedral in 2007.

Army personnel, veterans, families and dignitaries gathered at the Sydney cathedral for the remembrance mass, which came hours ahead of traditional Anzac Day dawn services rolling out.

Friday will mark 99 years since Australian and New Zealand troops made their first landing at Gallipoli.

"A sign and lasting source of our flourishing in this nation can be attributed to those who continued to defend our nation and who have modelled for us what it means to truly serve others," he said.

"This abided presence and commitment of our defence force ... is itself a sign that hope and peace are in deed real gifts for all of us."

Bishop Comensoli said the deaths of those who have served Australia have not been in vain.

Among the crowd at the mass was NSW Governor Marie Bashir, MP Greg Smith and RSL state president Don Rowe.

Leading armed forces figures, including Air Force Air Commodore Warren McDonald and Navy Commander of the Australian Fleet Captain Nicholas Mathews, prayed for Australia's blessing and protection and the same for those in overseas peacekeeping efforts.

A dignified silence swept across the cathedral as the last post rang out and many wiped away tears as they remembered those they had lost.